Food bank serves increased demand

  • Steve Beavers and his wife, Patricia Rife-Beavers, are shown delivering gifts of frozen turkeys to the Sharing Center food pantry given in honor of her father, Ed Rife, who died recently but had been a volunteer worker at the center well into his 80s. 
    Steve Beavers and his wife, Patricia Rife-Beavers, are shown delivering gifts of frozen turkeys to the Sharing Center food pantry given in honor of her father, Ed Rife, who died recently but had been a volunteer worker at the center well into his 80s. 

    Murphy – More large families than usual are coming to the Sharing Center, largest food bank in the county, during the ongoing Covid-19 epidemic.

    Well over 1,000 families are registered to get free food, families often consisting of one or two senior citizens. A large family, which qualifies for more food, begins with four or more people.

    The Sharing Center operates with an all-volunteer work force from the basement of First United Methodist Church downtown. Distribution days are Tuesdays and Fridays from 1-3 p.m. Clients can come at their convenience. 

    In the past, they could only receive a ration of food one time a month. But during the pandemic, it was decided to allow twice a month visits now.

    So recently the larger family clients, normally about one-third of the total, are responding to the new twice-monthly rule. On a recent Friday afternoon, a total of 70 families were served, exactly half were 35 large families.

    Because of the virus threat The Sharing Center went to a drive-through arrangement back in the spring.  Instead of waiting inside on chairs and pews for their food, clients remain in their vehicles and volunteers load it for them, rain or shine.

    “Another change we are making is in our holiday meats,” said Sande Kimball, president of the board of directors. “In the past, we have usually given either a frozen turkey or a canned ham in December.

    “This year, we have worked out with Ingles a new plan. We purchased several thousand dollars worth of gift certificates which a client family can use to buy ham or turkey, their choice. These will be issued beginning  in December.”

    Individuals often come to The Sharing Center this time of year and donate turkeys, she said, which are then given to large families.  This will continue where appropriate, she said.

    The Sharing Center is supported with ongoing financial support and volunteer workers from a number of churches in and west of Murphy, both Catholic and Protestant.

    Donations are appreciated and can be sent to Sharing Center, P.O. Box 692, Murphy, NC 28906.

    The writer is a member of The Sharing Center Board of Directors.